The Formative Years – Tool
It took a while until I got to appreciate the enigma that seems central to the world of Tool and their conceptually themed albums along with the symbol and easter eggs laden- comprehensive package they present
While Tool’s first two post-grunge albums did not necessarily capture my imagination, it was the release of Ænima that not only embodied the evolution of the band that with this album had found its own unique, layered and definitive stride and sound but also one that had transformation as a central theme, along with an omnipresence of Carl Gustav Jungian ideas when it comes to self-discovery and its psychological implications.
While musically Tool quintessentially remained in nu metal territory , Ænima saw them introduce new proggy facets and complex, ever building compositions the magnitude of which tend to grow with each listen.
Pounding rhythms, bizarrely timed signatures and a convincing sonic portrayal of angst are merely a few of the ingredients that make listening to the album an engaging, dense and genuinely original experience challenging one to reconcile one with one’s nature as well as its opposite.
Ænima saw Tool create an album that explicitly invites analysis while also including tracks that deliberately defy explanation and thereby not only leaves it up to the listener to interpret and contextualize it for him- / herself but actively makes the recipient a vital collaborator.
